New Chicago Gun Control Laws Advance Even Though Everyone Agrees They Will Do Nothing

Chicago is poised to pass a new gun control package following the state’s vote to allow for concealed carry. The new gun control laws will strengthen Chicago’s already extremely strict “Assault Weapons Ban” and raise penalties for committing gun crimes near schools.

Chicago Mayor and former Obama staffer, Rahm Emanuel, is pushing for the changes after taking heat for closing several schools which means many students will have longer commutes through tougher neighborhoods now.

While many involved are saying the laws will do little to curb actual violence in Chicago, they are pushing to pass them nonetheless. In fact, the only debate taking place about the new laws is whether they are strict enough, with some ultra anti-gun politicians wanting to go even further down the gun control road.

The mayor’s “school safety zone” ordinance would raise penalties for certain gun crimes near schools and along designated Safe Passage routes through neighborhoods to $1,000 to $5,000 and at least 30 days in jail for a first offense, $5,000 to $15,000 and 90 days to six months in jail for a second offense, and $10,000 to $20,000 and at least six months in jail for a third offense.

Possession of assault weapons near schools would carry stiffer penalties and jail time. The ordinance also increase penalties for possession of certain kinds of knives and other weapons around schools.

We’re sure those increased fines have violent drug dealers and gang members shaking in their expensive sneakers.

These laws primarily target semi-automatic rifles with certain “military characteristics.” Those types of firearms, while widely owned for self defense, sport shooting and hunting, are rarely used in crimes. In fact, according to the FBI Crime Reports, rifles of any kinds (including non semi-auto) are used in less than 1% of all crimes involving firearms. That fact certainly hasn’t stopped the Windy City from demonizing and legislating them to death.